Then there was no traffic.

I got to the gate about 9:10 and Damaris was beginning to hike up so I stopped and picked her up for the drive to the top.

We stood on top as the wind was blowing from the se so it was waiting time.

The winds took their time moving around to the south and west ended up a bit funky for a while until it warmed up enough.

The wind finally moved around but wasn't exactly blowing yet and I was a bit anxious to fly so ended up with a sledder. I managed to play with some lift lower but ended up with a super smooth and easy landing.

Damaris drove my car down to get me and her other wing then we headed back up top. When we got there it was PERFECT conditions.

By this time the wind had picked up nicely and was more conducive to soaring.

My second flight was super. I got popped up into a thermal for the first time and was able to stay in it. The ballast has made all the difference in the world for me and the feel of the wing overhead. I managed to get up to just under my highest point then after losing altitude in a wallow of sink I was able to find and catch a thermal less than a 100 feet off the ground and take it up 500 feet.

The only problem was when I landed I ended up crashing into a hawthorne bush. My wing flew over the top of the bush and landed in the field while my lines got strung over the bush. I quickly was disconnected and pulling my lines and had them all free as the group pulled up. 4 of us got my lines untangled, I packed up and tossed everything in Issac's truck and back to the top we went.

They were all going to keep flying and as I stood on top I could see a rather large dust devil built up in the fields to the south. It was like a post it was so straight. You can just see it out there. As rockin as the thermals were while I was in the air I new they would have some pretty wild rides up. I packed up and headed for home to be back by the time the boys got home.

The actual mountain top to the north of the launch site.

As I closed the gate Damaris was flitting around the hillside like the sky fairy she is.

I had a pretty mellow drive home but did just hit the school traffic as I got farther north.

As soon as I got home I unloaded the car and pulled my wing out for an inspection. All the lines are good and no punctures in the wing. 2nd time it had ended up in or on a tree with no damage, thankfully.

"One school one book" is starting and this book is to be read over a month. J went to his room to see how fast he could read it and came out with a time of 31:44. Lol. He just needs to go back through to catch the answers for the chapter questions.

@stryeyz got home from work then after eating we went for a sunset hike up the hill.

I just need to clear a few smaller trees and some branches and I can launch my wing if the winds are right. It will likely end up a sledder across the highway but I seriously want to try.

Some of the trees that will come down and that one will be our Christmas tree this year. I can leave it and still have room for my wing.

What kid doesn't love a good trundling? These two sure do!

The sunset was pretty good.

As we walked back to the house I looked up to see all the sheep lined up watching us, judging us...

R fire bugged and dealt with a good bit of cardboard while he roasted marshmallows.

My hands were torched from all the punctures from the hawthrone so it made soaking hard. My hips are also super fucked and really sore and I'm trying to figure out the remedy.

Raining this morning which I didn't know was coming so had to go cover stuff. We are going to the bike swap as J needs a new bike, then this afternoon when the rain is done I will have to till more, then try and do something about the hip pain.

SIGNUP FOR YOUR NEWTON PORTAL ACCOUNT AND WE BOTH EARN!